Transitive Verbs and Direct Objects

Transitive Verbs and Direct Objects

A transitive verb has two characteristics. First, it is an action verb (never a linking verb). Second, it has a direct object, something or someone who receives the action of the verb.

• Ex. Andrea saw the new musical. (saw is transitive)

Direct objects receive the action of the verb. They always come after the verb and answer the questions whom? or what?

• Ex. The punter kicks the football. (kicks is transitive)

Direct objects must always be nouns or pronouns that answer the questions whom? or what? If there are words after the verb that answer the questions where? when? how? how often? etc, those words are NOT direct objects.

Ex. The actor died in 1994. (no direct object)

Identify the transitive verb in each sentence.

Multiple Choice

Everyone brings a bag lunch to school.

• everyone

• brings

• lunch

• school

Multiple Choice

The cat licked its paw.

• cat

• licked

• its

• paw

Multiple Choice

After the concert, we ate dinner at a nearby restaurant.

• after

• concert

• ate

• nearby

Multiple Choice

I drink coffee every morning on the way to work.

• drink

• every

• morning

• work

Multiple Choice

The music teacher sang a song.

• the

• music

• teacher

• sang

Identify the direct object in each sentence.

(hint: not all of the sentences have direct objects)

Multiple Choice

I mailed two large packages to my friend in Florida.

• mailed

• two

• packages

• no direct object

Multiple Choice

Before the test, the students carefully reviewed their notes.

• test

• students

• notes

• no direct object

Multiple Choice

The club meets after school.

• club

• after

• school

• no direct object

Multiple Choice

Gina teaches various dance classes at the community center.

• classes

• community

• center

• no direct object

Multiple Choice

I read several books every week.

• I

• books

• week

• no direct object